Abstract
Insufficiency of the total number of medical doctors has recently become a problem in Japan. In such a situation, the number of female medical students and doctors, the ratio of women surgeons to men surgeons, and also the needs for women doctors are increasing. In accordance with these increases, many support systems have been established at universities nationwide, most of which are supported with grants from national government. This article describes the current status of such support systems in the universities in Japan and also actual measures to improve environment for women surgeons. Activities of a working group to support child-rearing and caring in our university hospital are introduced for reference. We must continue not only to establish better systems and facilities but to enhance social environments and perceptions for closing gender gap.
